Chesterfield Couple Graduates from VCU at 65 and 58
TL;DR: After nearly a decade of study while working full time, Chesterfield County couple Wanda and Tony Reynolds graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with bachelor's degrees in psychology at ages 65 and 58.
Quick facts
- Who: Wanda and Tony Reynolds, Chesterfield County residents
- What: Graduated from VCU with bachelor's degrees in psychology after nearly 10 years of part-time study
- When: June 2026
- Where: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
The story
Wanda and Tony Reynolds walked hand in hand across the VCU stage at the Siegel Center on graduation day to a standing ovation, earning their bachelor's degrees in psychology after a nearly 10-year educational journey. The Chesterfield County couple, at ages 65 and 58, were often the oldest students in their classes, a distinction they wore as a badge of honor and persistence through their studies.
Wanda's path to college spanned decades. As the youngest of 15 siblings, she always dreamed of attending university but financial constraints made it impossible as a young adult. After becoming a mother, raising her sons became her priority, though the desire to pursue higher education never faded. In 2015, Tony gave her an unexpected Christmas gift: enrollment in community college courses at John Tyler (now Brightpoint). Rather than attend alone, Tony joined her, and for six years the couple attended classes while both worked full-time jobs, eventually earning associate degrees in 2020.
Tony's own college story had been interrupted 40 years earlier when he was a VCU wrestler on scholarship until the athletic program was cut. "When they dropped, that was it for me," he recalled. Determined to finish what he started, Tony set a condition for supporting Wanda's education: they would return together to VCU, the school he had left decades ago. In 2020, the Reynolds enrolled as transfer students at VCU to pursue bachelor's degrees in psychology. For the next six years, they balanced work, family, and coursework, studying the field that would become central to their shared mission.
The Reynolds' educational accomplishment took on new meaning when they recently started their own private counseling practice, working with couples and families. Their choice of psychology as their major reflected a deliberate decision to build expertise in an area where they could help others navigate relationships and personal growth. Their story gained broader recognition when VCU's president shared it on social media, highlighting the university's commitment to supporting nontraditional students and lifelong learners.
Key players
- Wanda Reynolds: VCU graduate, age 65, co-founder of couples counseling practice
- Tony Reynolds: VCU graduate, age 58, co-founder of couples counseling practice, former VCU wrestler
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU): Institution awarding bachelor's degrees
The case for
Older adult education addresses genuine personal fulfillment and economic needs. National data shows 51% of adults returning to school cite personal fulfillment as a primary motivation, while 64% seek higher earning potential; the Reynolds' transition into a counseling practice demonstrates tangible career opportunity. Community colleges and universities expanding access to nontraditional students tap into a motivated demographic: adults with life experience, clearer goals, and demonstrated commitment to completing coursework despite competing responsibilities. Supporting pathways like John Tyler's community college bridge and VCU's acceptance of transfer credits creates affordable, accessible steps toward credentials and meaningful work.
The case against
Older adult learners face steeper persistence challenges, with enrollment data showing students entering college at 25 or older complete degrees at rates 35 percentage points lower than traditional students (46% versus 81% as of 2022). Balancing full-time work, family obligations, and coursework creates real financial and time pressures; institutional support systems (tutoring, flexible scheduling, childcare, financial aid tailored to older workers) remain inconsistent. Community college completion rates for all students remain low, and four-year institutions historically prioritize traditional-age populations in resource allocation, potentially underserving the support needs of older learners pursuing degrees that may take longer to complete.
Why it matters: The Reynolds' achievement reflects a growing national trend of adults 50 and older pursuing formal education for career change, personal enrichment, and delayed life goals. For Chesterfield County residents, their story and the broader accessibility of institutions like the Lifelong Learning Institute demonstrate that educational opportunities and personal reinvention are not limited by age or prior interruptions, and that county-based pathways and partner institutions (from community colleges to VCU) support diverse learners in transforming their lives.
Places
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- Siegel Center (VCU)+Chesterfield+VA)
- John Tyler Community College
- Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield
Development timeline
- 2015Tony Reynolds gifts Wanda community college enrollment: Tony Reynolds gives Wanda Reynolds community college courses at John Tyler (now Brightpoint) as a Christmas gift, beginning their educational journey together [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/couple-graduates-from-vcu-june-19-2026)
- 2020Reynolds earn associate degrees: After six years of part-time study while working, Wanda and Tony Reynolds graduate from John Tyler Community College with associate degrees [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/couple-graduates-from-vcu-june-19-2026)
- 2020Reynolds enroll at VCU: Wanda and Tony Reynolds enroll at Virginia Commonwealth University as transfer students to pursue bachelor's degrees in psychology [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/couple-graduates-from-vcu-june-19-2026)
- June 2026Reynolds graduate from VCU: Wanda Reynolds, 65, and Tony Reynolds, 58, receive their bachelor's degrees in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University at commencement [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/couple-graduates-from-vcu-june-19-2026)
Related links
- Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield
- Virginia Commonwealth University Commencement
- Chesterfield County News
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →
Sources
- Chesterfield couple graduates from VCU at ages 65 and 58: 'It's never too late'
- Going Back to School as an Adult: 2025 Trends & Stats
- Adult Learners in College: Facts & Statistics
- Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield
- Older-adult college enrollment trends and benefits